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Influence of Adding Ammonia to Corn Stalklage on Feeding Value for Dairy Cows and on Fermentation Changes¹

Michigan State University^,6, East Lansing 48824

Abstract

Seventy-nine lactating cows in mid- to late lactation were used in three experiments to test the substitution of untreated or ammoniatreated corn stalklage for corn silage at 10 to 25% of the diet dry matter (DM). Stalklages were harvested between 1 d and 2 wk after high moisture corn harvest and ensiled in concrete stave silos (4 x 7 m in 1979 and 3 x 13 m in 1981). Dry matter intakes and milk yields were usually depressed when stalklage comprised 25% of diet DM, but not at 10 and 20%. Treatment of stalklages with ammonia (2% of DM) increased in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD). In a fermentation study, untreated stalklage (US) averaging 40% DM was ensiled in large plastic bags and compared with stalklages treated with 2% of DM as ammonia (AS), 2% ammonia plus 2% of DM as molasses added separately (AMS), or a bacterial inoculum (IS). At 0, 3, 7, 19 and 50 d of ensiling, duplicate bags were opened. Fermentation patterns similar to those for corn silage were observed. The pH decreased from 7.1 to 4.4 for US and IS by 3 d, but minimum pH for AS and AMS was higher (4.8) and occurred later (19 d). Lactic acid (percentage of DM) at 50 d averaged about 3.7 for US, IS and AS, but increased to 5.9 for AMS. Ammonia treatments decreased cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in stalklage, but increased IVDMD and water insoluble nitrogen.

¹ Published with approval of the Director of the Agr. Exp. Sta. as Journal Article No. 10830.

² Estadual Exp. Carillanca — INIA, Casilla 58-D, Temuco, Chile.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Arizona, Tucson 85721.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville 32611.

⁵ Nutritional Chemicals Division, Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO 63167.

⁶ Dept. of Anim. Sci.